From the Chicago Tribune

Latest Safe Road offender is sentenced
By Matt O'Connor
Tribune staff reporter
Published September 10, 2004, 1:48 PM CDT
One of the latest defendants convicted in the Operation Safe Road federal
investigation into corruption in state government was sentenced today to 15
months in prison for having taken bribes to pass driver's license
applicants.
Fernando Murillo, 48, formerly the third-ranking official in the Lombard
driver's license facility, also was sentenced to two years' supervised
release and fined $2,000 during a court hearing today before U.S. District
Judge Joan Lefkow.
The Cicero resident is free on bond and was ordered to surrender to
authorities Oct. 12 to begin his prison term.
Assistant U.S. Atty. Patrick Collins said Murillo passed 45 people who were
unqualified to drive in 2003 and 2004. Defense attorney Ronald Stearney said
his client gained $3,700 from the scheme.
A 23-year veteran of the Secretary of State's office, Murillo was charged in
March with demanding $50 to $70 at a time from codefendant Lidia Rodezno, an
instructor with Reliable Driving School of Chicago. Rodezno also has pleaded
guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
In June, Murillo pleaded guilty to extortion, admitting he accepted bribes
to pass students on road tests. He subsequently tried to withdraw his guilty
plea, but the request was denied.
Today, the defendant told the court he never demanded money from anyone or
helped any driver's license applicant on written tests. Prosecutors objected
to Murillo receiving credit for accepting responsibility for his actions,
but Lefkow granted him the credit anyway.
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